Resolution - 2006.03
Increase Old Age SecuritySubmitted by: Nova Scotia Provincial Council
Whereas, Government pension programs were designed to ensure that Canada's seniors would have enough income to meet their daily needs; and
Whereas, In the last decade, the adequacy of Old Age Security pension has come under serious question with the maximum monthly benefit allowable being $487.54, as of July 1, 2006; and
Whereas, In 2003, 12.5% of the population were seniors, of which 7% (258,000) were living under the after-tax low-income cut-off and 19% (700,000) of seniors were just above the before-tax low-income cut-off and could not access the benefits of income-tested programs, even with the Guaranteed Income Supplement; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 86th annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government to increase the Old Age Security pension by 6% per year for the next five years over and above the cost of living increase with no penalty to the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
BRIEF
In the last decade, the adequacy of the Old Age Security pension has come under serious question, with the maximum amount allowable being $487.54 per month, as of July 1, 2006.(1) In 2003, 258,000 seniors were living under the after tax low-income cut-off (LICO) and 19% of seniors are just above the before tax LICO (2) and cannot access the benefits of income tested programs and must, therefore, try to live within a very small budget.The basic problem with Canada's pension system is that even the maximum amount allowable is not enough to ensure a life of dignity for seniors. Government pension programs were designed to ensure that Canada's seniors would have enough income to meet their daily needs and prevent them from becoming destitute.
The federal government is urged to improve the quality of life for seniors by raising Old Age Security.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aging in Poverty in Canada, Government of Canada, National Advisory Council on Aging, pp. 9, 11 and 16, <<www.naca.ca/margins/poverty/pdf/margins-poverty_e.pdf>> (June 15, 2006).
?The Face of Poverty in Canada : An Overview,? National Anti-Poverty Association, 2006, pp. 3, <<www.napo-onap.ca/en/issues/2006POVERTYinCANADA.pdf>> June 15, 2006)
?Low-income Cut-Off Table,? Max Berger Law Corp, 2003, pp. 1, <<www.maxberger.ca/subcategories/immcatlinks/lico.html>> (June 15, 2006).
?Old Age Security (OAS) Payment Rates,? Government of Canada, April-June 2006, <<www.sdc.gc.ca/en/isp/oas/oasrates.shtml>> (June 15, 2006.
Poverty Profile 2001, National Council of Welfare Reports, 2004, pp. 81, <<www.ncwcnbes.net/htmdocument/reportpovertypro01/PP2001_e.pdf>> (June 15, 2006).FOOTNOTES
(1) ?Old Age Security (OAS) Payment Rates,? Government of Canada, April-June 2006, <<www.sdc.gc.ca/en/isp/oas/oasrates.shtml>> (June 15, 2006)
(2) Aging in Poverty in Canada, Government of Canada, National Advisory Council on Aging, pp. 11, <<www.naca.ca/margins/poverty/pdf/margins-poverty_e.pdf>> (June 15, 2006).
Requested Members' Action:
